Japanese girls and brand bags

[neko_girl22]

Would you pay $1000's for a designer bag?

I love buying shoes and bags, but I am quite happy with a bag that is 1/10th of the price of LV or Gucci. Besides, I see hundreds of girls carrying the same bag (or some poor souls even have fake ones) - why would I want to have a bag everyone else has?? (see photo below)

Designer fashion is so important to Japanese girls alot of them use nearly their whole salary (or parents' money) to keep up-to-date. I don't know about other countries, but in New Zealand we don't care about designer brands so much. Yeah, we drool over them in Cosmo but we don't put ourselves into debt for them.

What do you think about this trend? If they want to pay for designer stuff it's their decision right? I just think your priorities are a bit twisted if you're 30 and still live at home...

anyway I believe it's possible to be stylish without resorting to major designer labels.... :rose:

[Maciamo]

Would you pay $1000's for a designer bag?

About 40 million Japanese girls or women ?


I love buying shoes and bags, but I am quite happy with a bag that is 1/10th of the price of LV or Gucci.

Oh, but can also buy fakes. There are plenty of fake Vuitton and Gucci, and not just in Thailand, even in Japan.

Besides, I see hundreds of girls carrying the same bag (or some poor souls even have fake ones) - why would I want to have a bag everyone else has?? (see photo below)

That's the point. Contrarily to individualistic Westerners, Japanese are very collectivist and like doing like everyone else. In Japan, if you see people jumping in the river, then you must do it (social obligation to keep the group harmony). :D

Interestingly, the same is starting to happen in Korea and China.

Designer fashion is so important to Japanese girls alot of them use nearly their whole salary (or parents' money) to keep up-to-date.

That sounds brainless, but it's the harsh reality of group harmony combined to low self-esteem.

I don't know about other countries, but in New Zealand we don't care about designer brands so much.

Even in Paris, where Louis Vuitton bags come from (and are cheaper), LV bags are unusual enough for people to say "Oh look, she has a Vuitton !". In Tokyo, it's "Oh look ! She doesn't have a Vuitton !". :sorry:

Yeah, we drool over them in Cosmo but we don't put ourselves into debt for them.

Japanese women are clever; rather than buying it themselves, most make them offer one by their boyfriend/husband or by "sponsoring males" in "exchange for services" (hmm :blush: ). If they do buy it by themselves, it's because they do not spend this money for accommodation (live with their parents till their thrities), do not have anything else to spend their money on (not enough holiday to travel, not enough hobbies for other stuff).

[Keiichi]

I think so too (but hey, I'm a guy :D). That bag looks like any ol' bag to me. If a girl asks me to buy a bag that's like what... $100, I might let it slide, but higher ones are instant dumpage, unless I won the lottery or something. :p

[neko_girl22]

That's the point. Contrarily to individualistic Westerners, Japanese are very collectivist and like doing like everyone else. In Japan, if you see people jumping in the river, then you must do it (social obligation to keep the group harmony). :D

Your post makes a lot of sense, I guess it's the old "uchi" and "soto" thing again. You're "soto" if you don't have the bag!

it's still crazy to me though :p

[Vinylhoer]

Your post makes a lot of sense, I guess it's the old "uchi" and "soto" thing again. You're "soto" if you don't have the bag!

it's still crazy to me though :pWhat is uchi en soto? :clueless:

When I was in Japan I couldn't believe my eyes! :shock: All those high fashion girls. I've been to Paris, but Japan is worse I think :D

And I too still can't understand what's the deal. Here in Holland it's almost the opposite. Showing off is NOT done here and I don't know that many people that would spend money on designer clothes. But in a way I guess it's sort of the same group-feeling as in Japan: you're an outsider if you have a designer bag and everybody will talk about you in a bad way ("Owh look at her showing off with her LV bag")

I know a Korean girl and she's exactly the same as those Japanese girls. She's got a zillion bags and still she's convinced that she NEEDS that particular (expensive) bag that she happens to run into. She'll say that she has enough bags, but just not one for that occasion she wants the bag for. :banghead:

[Maciamo]

What is uchi en soto? :clueless:

"Uchi" means "inside" and "soto" means "outside". That refers to the group (country, company, family or whatever).


And I too still can't understand what's the deal. Here in Holland it's almost the opposite. Showing off is NOT done here and I don't know that many people that would spend money on designer clothes. But in a way I guess it's sort of the same group-feeling as in Japan: you're an outsider if you have a designer bag and everybody will talk about you in a bad way ("Owh look at her showing off with her LV bag")

The point is that because almost everybody has a LV bag in Japan, it is not showing off. Anyway, I thing the very concept of "showing off" is inexistant in Japan. Having money and showing it is not morally reproachable. Not having money is almost a sin in Japan. :D

[Vinylhoer]

The point is that because almost everybody has a LV bag in Japan, it is not showing off. Anyway, I thing the very concept of "showing off" is inexistant in Japan. Having money and showing it is not morally reproachable. Not having money is almost a sin in Japan. :D
So in a way it is showing off, but because everybody does it it doens't look that way.

What I'm wondering is is how new trends arise if everybody does what everybody else does. In Europe most people want to be original and this leads to new trends. :?

[senseiman]

The phenomenah isn't isolated to just brand name bags either. I teach one student who owns two cars: a Jaguar and an Audi, both almost brand new. When you see someone driving cars like that in Canada you think they must live in a huge house or something, but she and her husband live in this tiny little two room apartment with their 2 year old son. They aren't car enthusiasts or anything either, it has always boggled my mind how they could spend that much on automobiles while living in this cramped little hovel.

Its stuff like that which I don't understand at all. If you are filthy rich then I can see paying top dollar for quality brand name bags, cars, etc. But most of the people you see sporting this expensive crap in public live in absolute squalor at home. Obviously its all the social pressure to be accepted that keeps them like this. People rarely visit each other's apartments here so there isn't any need to live in comfort so long as you project the image of luxury. Seems sad.

[kirei_na_me]

I've commented on this before, I believe. My husband automatically assumed that I wanted designer bags and platinum jewelry and expensive clothes. I've got about $3000 worth of Louis Vuitton(and that's only 3 bags and a wallet) because he thought I wanted it. I'm not saying I don't like it, of course, but he had this weird idea that all women want that kind of stuff because he had been around women who placed a lot of value on that type thing.

Of course now, many people around here are producing fake LV. I told him that now anyone could have what looks like LV. He says something like, "yes, but you know it's real". :o

Also, I'd like to add that it was so funny, because when my Japanese girlfriend was still living here, she ran and got a Prada bag and made her husband get her a bigger diamond after she saw what I had each time. She would even copy me down to the furniture I had and the clothes! Even the kids' toys. I thought it was...interesting. Almost scary.

Oh, and my husband was one of those who lived with the parents and bought whatever he wanted. He was chonan, though, so I guess he felt he had some kind of right to do that. He had a really fancy SUV, a couple of motorcycles, all of these extremely expensive and fancy outfits for skiing, tennis, motocross, etc. etc. I mean, it's unbelievable. In the U.S., we call men like him a "mama's boy", and it's definitely not considered a compliment.

**Edit** I would like to say that I grew up on a farm. I mean, I lived in rural North Carolina and Virginia and my parents were teachers. I didn't even have cable the entire 18 years I lived with my parents because we were so far out in the country. I could only drool over LV and Gucci and Chanel and Dior and etc. etc. in Cosmo or Glamour. I had good stuff, but not that level.

[Maciamo]

The phenomenah isn't isolated to just brand name bags either. I teach one student who owns two cars: a Jaguar and an Audi, both almost brand new. When you see someone driving cars like that in Canada you think they must live in a huge house or something, but she and her husband live in this tiny little two room apartment with their 2 year old son.


European cars are much cheaper (something like half price) in Europe than Japan, so it is almost normal to have an Audi, BMW, Mercedes or Jaguar. In Germany, there seem to be only big cars like that on the motorway/autobahn.
But in Japan, that is true that I hardly understand why they buy those imported car if they aren't car enthusiasts.

My wife keeps nagging me about buying a car, but I told her it's not necessary when one lives in central Tokyo, and even if I got a car for free, i probably wouldn't use it more than once a month. But she said that a man must have a car, otherwise he is just a child. You see the mentality. :mad:
What's more I got my driving licence when I was 18 (min. legal age in Europe and Japan), as I was interested in cars at the time, but have almost completely lost interest since then. The difference between me and her, is that I have been used to go everywhere by car since my youngest childhood, because I've grown up in an isolated house in the country, while her family never had a car in Tokyo. For her it's still new and exciting. For me, it's just a convenience to go somewhere if there are any train or subway near. Anyway, I think that many Tokyoites use their cars mainly for weekend outings, not to go to work.

[kirei_na_me]

A comment about the car issue. If I didn't have to have a car, I wouldn't have a car. If I lived somewhere like Tokyo or NYC, I don't believe I would ever worry with a car. You can walk anywhere you want or take the subway or train. It sounds wonderful to me, who has to drive at least 30 miles in either direction to go to a decent store.

[playaa]

I know the feeling, I have to drive everywhere and I hate it! It really becomes a hastle more then a convenience after the first 6 months of driving with your licence.

[m477]

Are there really any good knock-offs out there? When I went to Hong Kong, there were tons of them, but all of them were so obviously shoddy and cheap-looking that even I could tell it was fake from a mile away. Not that I really think anything about a LV bag really justifies $1000 price tag, but the quality of fakes available makes it seem like it's the real thing or nothing.

Also, I was talking about the LV phenomenon with one of my friends who is French. He was amused by it because he said he only sees old women with those bags back home in France.

[kirei_na_me]

When I was at the LV in Paris, the whole store was booming, and I bet at least 80% of the customers in there at that moment were Asian. It was pretty funny. It was like the LV store was on their itinerary...

[july]

I think it's more of a matter of priorities. For example, someone mentioned something about a couple that has two nice european cars, but a small apartment. They might not spend that much time in the apartment, so it's not as important as the car they probably spend more time in.

as for buying expensive clothes, for some people it's a hobby. And some people are willing to put themselves in debt for that.

now i can understand the whole "fashion" thing, since my own clothes come from the more expensive end of the spectrum. But i'm not willing to put myself in debt for it.

seriously, think about it. Most of us here probably watch anime, or play video games...how often do you spend a little bit too much at once on those things? i know i've done that a couple times...

[neko_girl22]

Japan is a country most comfortable in a uniform - and I guess this designer bag craze is just another uniform. If you don't have something that's from a designer you stand out and that's most Japanese people's nightmare

Thankfully my hubby is a bit of an eccentric/rebel and hates to conform :p His most expensive stuff is his guitar and other band equipment.

It's funny how when in NZ someone found out I was married to a Japanese man they would automatically assume I would be dripping in LV etc I have a few pieces of designer jewellery from when we dating, but I told him that although I think they're gorgeous I don't need them to stay with him.

I probably sound like a bore to go shopping with buy actually I looove shopping in Japan. I just don't agree with paying exorbitant prices for a bag that does the same job as my 3,000Y one and doesn't even look as good! (IMO) :emblaugh:

[senseiman]

maciamo I hear what you are saying.

I don't have a car either and (thank god) my wife is cool with that. We live in Himeji, about a 10 minute bicycle ride from downtown and I just cannot fathom going to the expense of buying a car for the minimal benefits you would get from it. All the places in town are within bicycle range and if we want to go out of town there is always the JR. The only time not having a car is a drag is when it is raining or when we want to go shopping for something big. And for those occasions we have raincoats and delivery services so they aren't a problem either.

Plus the cost of a car here is just insane. Buying the car isn't so expensive, but paying for the insurance, the Sha-kens, the gas, the parking....they just seem like big money-traps to me.

[Maciamo]

Plus the cost of a car here is just insane. Buying the car isn't so expensive, but paying for the insurance, the Sha-kens, the gas, the parking....they just seem like big money-traps to me.

Exactly, then there is always the possibility to rent a car. On to of that, one of them (rent-a-car) opened just 100m from our house !

[TwistedMac]

my poor wallet.. tell the jap girls to get cheaper hobbies before i go there.. you have something like 2 years.. k thx plz

[neko_girl22]

Plus the cost of a car here is just insane. Buying the car isn't so expensive, but paying for the insurance, the Sha-kens, the gas, the parking....they just seem like big money-traps to me.

In our small town we have to have a car. We wouldn't have a car unless we needed one. This month we have the sha-ken...... when I first heard how much it is going to cost I couldn't believe it!! It's close to $2,000nz! :mad: In nz it would be around $40!!! It is however easier to pass in Japan apparently. I guess I wont be shopping for any LV bags this month :p

[kirei_na_me]

Yeah, the only reason we have cars is because we have to. In the U.S., everything is so spread out, you just about have to have a car. That is why I say it would be so extremely nice and convenient to live in a big city and not have to have a car. We just made our last payment on our car this month. It is paid for now and it is such a relief... :relief:

Oh, and the motorcycle too. Can't forget that. That has just been paid off too--finally. Maciamo has his wife begging for a car, and I had my husband begging for a motorcycle... :o How could I say no, though? It's his money, after all.

[playaa]

Yeah I wish stuff was that close in the U.S., I think normally for me to go to a friends house around here it takes like somewhere around 20-25 minutes in the car and at speed limit probably 30 minute ride.. And I am not in a country area either.
:blush:

Also to get back on topic, I dont think I would spend all that money on LV bags and stuff at all, I do have a hobby which is my car (I have invested somewhere around $3,000 + $2,500 (vehicle cost) in modifications, etc..
I guess it is just what you like...

[budd]

"girls to get cheaper hobbies before i go there.. you have something like 2 years.. k thx plz"
japanese... k thx plz!

[Apollo]

I don't think purchasing expensive designer bags are typical Japanese, I see it everywhere, this is how fashion is.

HOwever, in Japan and China, 'face' i.e. status, is very important, hence, they want to buy expensive stuff like LV or Gucci bags, Burberry coat and anything which shows you have a high class, especially if they can afford it.

Furthermore, it is contagious...I mean, if a friend has a Gucci bag, her friends must have...suddenly, everyone has a Gucci-bag!

[Ewok85]

"all fur coat and no knickers" as i hear sometimes ;)

Where I live a car is essential if you want to go anywhere. Its 40mins to the city, 20mins to school and my friends houses, 5mins to the train station... getting the idea here? I woould love a motorbike as having to drive a big 4 person car on my own to places is a waste.

I cant understand having a car but and the same time kinda get it. Wherever I went train and bus got me within a 5minute walk of my destination. But the car meant we could go to other places (generally out in the country) like a camping site, temples and the sort. But if you live in tokyo i dont really see the point (get a motorbike or scooter!)

[senseiman]

Yeah, I can totally understand the need for a car if you are living in the countryside or a small town. But for the people living in cities it just seems superfluous.

Personally I think people who don't need them buying cars is much more destructive behaviour than people buying overpriced brand name bags. Cars are noisy, dangerous, polluting things that require huge amounts of land being asphalted to accomodate them. The only thing bad you can really say about designer bags is that they are overpriced.

[Eternal Wind]

I just dun think that wasting money to buy branded handbags are worth it...
Hmm...maybe I am wrong?

[Kama]

I wouldn't buy overpriced bag... XD I generally don't use handbags, so it's another story... XD

about the car... I live in a big city, and I don't have even driver's licence. I can walk everywhere, or take a bus/tram. So why should I? My parents has few cars, since my father has his own building firm. I only ride a car (with one of them), when we are going to family, or to the country.

[den4]

hee heee heeee...watching all the j-gals buying in the buying frenzy at the beginning of the year at their local or downtown depaatos... :D

also must say it is funny hearing about 8 hour long parking lots just to get out of the city of Tokyo for the weekend, when a train is so much faster and may even be cheaper (convenience may be another matter).....I was so glad I did not have a car in Japan....

[playaa]

Riding a bike, would you be looked at as "poor" or a "dork" in Japan? Just wondering before I go rent one lol.

[ashuri2]

my mother wastes her money on those darned bags. while i haven't had new clothes in months, she'll go buy a $200 bag for herself. <grrrrr>. truth be told, i never even knew what the purpose of pocketbooks were until i hit late teens, and even now i see them more as a menace to my happiness <i am forgetful and tend to leave them...> than something i'd willingly saddle myself with. i'm rather glad i don't live in a conformist society, because i rather enjoy having the ability to be myself without having to worry that all of society will jump on me for disturbing the harmony...as for cars, well, some of the problems seem to be materialistic more than anything else ^^;...i quite frankly don't need a car if i can use the subway, and sure, i may splurge occasionally on anime, but then again i get something out of it for myslef and not to please others, and i won't forget about what i bought as soon as the newest thingamajiggy comes out.

[neko_girl22]

Riding a bike, would you be looked at as "poor" or a "dork" in Japan? Just wondering before I go rent one lol.

bikes are everywhere, Playaa, don't worry! From school children to 90 year old Grandma's - no kidding! :p Actually older people on bikes are pretty dangerous, they swerve all over the place!

The cool thing is, unlike my country where it is illegal to ride on the footpaths, here they actually encourage/prefer you to.

[Maciamo]

Riding a bike, would you be looked at as "poor" or a "dork" in Japan? Just wondering before I go rent one lol.

Nzueda is right. Bicycle are used by everybody. You'll see many business people in areas like Nihombashi (Japan's Wallstreet) riding bicycles.

[senseiman]

Bicycles are extremely cool in my opinion. Like Nzueda says, Japan also has the benefit of being a very bicycle-friendly country which is great. Drivers here are much more courteous towards cyclists than they are in Canada and in the city you can ride on the sidewalks, which is also great.

[kirei_na_me]

So you can actually ride bicycles on the sidewalks? That is one really good thing I've heard about Japan. My husband has made comments before about riding bicycles on the sidewalks here, and I was always like, "um...you're not supposed to do that", but it never developoed into a "So you can ride bicycles on the sidwalk back home?" conversation.

That's nice to know.

[playaa]

Yep, good to know... New Koyo rents bikes for like 350 yen a day. So I am thinking I might use that to travel around the area, (close to the hotel) so I don't get lost.

[sayuri]

i really don't see why you guys blame japanese chicks for buying brand name bags. True they want to follow the trend(S in Japan) and they might not be as rich as the Hilton sisters (eventhough they try to look as rich as them), but they should be able to do whatever they want to with their money.
I know they really excessively LOVE Louis Vuitton BUT there is nothing wrong with that, i mean it's not like they were buying a bag made from...i don't know panda fur or stuff like that.
I myself love brand name bags (not really into LV tough) i have lots of Christian Dior bags (and i have to say, it does get on my nerves when i see teenagers that wear cheap fakes) BUT i mean, i do whatever i want to with the money i make (and them too) but that's just because i love fashion and there is nothing wrong with that. It's a lifestyle : i don't smoke, i don't drink, i don't do drugs, i don't go out-->i buy clothes (and shoes) with my money. Big deal! It's not like i'm hurting anybody. People should stop judging others.
Like, i'm not saying that Yasuko, 32, Tokyo, 12 Louis Vuitton bags, 7 Manolo's is right or that Fatima, 19, Riyadh, 3 hijab is wrong. I'm not going to judge them because of what they are wearing, or the influence their country has on what they are wearing.
I know you're all thinking "yeah they are spending all this money on useless stuff, when poor africans are dying of AIDS every day....", it IS sad, but hey, we can't think about everybody, we only live once, we might as well make the most of it....
I hope i didn't shock anybody with what i've just said (that wasn't my intention) i'm just saying that i'm tired of people always blaming other for stupid stuff : some blame others because the only thing they are interested in about Japan are mangas and animes, some blame others because they're too fat -hey i'm just giving examples, i'm not talking about you in particular... and now I'm blaming you for blaming other people (just joking :p )

[Keiichi]

350 yen to rent a bike? Sounds good. What if you want to go in a store (and not bring in the bike, of course) and leave it outside aside, what are the chances that it'll get jacked (say... in any Tokyo district)?

[Maciamo]

i really don't see why you guys blame japanese chicks for buying brand name bags.
...
I know you're all thinking "yeah they are spending all this money on useless stuff, when poor africans are dying of AIDS every day....", it IS sad, but hey, we can't think about everybody, we only live once, we might as well make the most of it...

I agree with what you said. It's just a matter of how people use their money. Usually girls/women who "buy 100.000yen bags every two months" do not have to worry about buying a house, a car, a new PC every 6 month ( :sorry: just being sarcastic on this one to show that people's priorities vary).

These girls buy those expensive stuff while they are young, which is a good, as I prefer see young girls that are well-dressed than old hags with the same LV bags (which interestingly doesn't happen much in Japan, contrarily to Western countries).

Most of the time, they still live with teir parents while working (so they can save on accommodation and food), while in individualistic English-speaking countries, people want to leave their parental home as soon as possible (like 16 or 18, esp. in the UK), and buy their home as soon as possible (again, esp in the UK) and therefore cannot afford to waste money on luxury products.

If they do have enough money, most will either buy a car or travel, while Japanese would rather buy brand clothes, eat at expensive restaurants and also travel, but for short-period (like 5 days) in luxury hotels or tours, rather than as backpackers for one year. If they go abroad for a year, then they will usually choose the expensive "ryugaku" (stay and study at private language schools in a Western country). It's just a matter of how you want to spend your money. I am not surpise that so many Japanese are worried (不安) about the future, as many of them lead a lifestyle requiring a more steady flow of money, and wouldn't be satisfied with their house and car, if they had to give up eating out, buying brand clothes or paying for expensive hobbies (eg. golf, ski, theatre, massages, nail-art, eikaiwa..., considering that all of these are much more expensive than the average in Western countries).

[playaa]

Yeah thats also a question, what's the chances of bicycles getting stolen in Tokyo if I were to go into a store?

[Maciamo]

Yeah thats also a question, what's the chances of bicycles getting stolen in Tokyo if I were to go into a store?

Low as long as you have a locker (they all have), and it is a cheap bicycle. Much higher if it's a nice and expensive mountain bike, as they are rare in Tokyo.

[playaa]

Oh, I see.. That takes care of that problem.. :) I think I will be doing the bicycle thing in tokyo then.

[sayuri]

Most of the time, they still live with teir parents while working (so they can save on accommodation and food), while in individualistic English-speaking countries, people want to leave their parental home as soon as possible (like 16 or 18, esp. in the UK), and buy their home as soon as possible (again, esp in the UK) and therefore cannot afford to waste money on luxury products.


I mostly agree with what you are saying, BUT i think that the UK example wasn't the best one to give.

ALL my british friends still live with their parents (ok, they all live in London, maybe that's why, rent's too high), they keep spending their money, they are the worst to me. I used to work in Harrods (OH MY GOD! it was sooooo tempting :( ) and every single person i worked with, kept going to fancy expensive clubs, buying expensive things and were as materialistic as me(i admit it....) - by the way, i'm not only refering to the Harrods staff (which have a killer pay!) but also the other people that i've met and that made less money than we did.
The difference between japanese girls and british girls is : british girl have Burberry's bags, and japanese girls have Louis Vuitton bags (just kidding....eventhough it IS a fact, Burberry's is EVERYWHERE in London!).

If someone was to be blamed it would be british girls, because it is true that some of them live on their own, but that's just because a majority of these girls have kids at a young age and therefore get the right to have their own council house. They get pregnant at 16 and then get allowances, council help, tax exemption and stuff like that, but still, they keep spending their money on Burberry's garments (or they go on a massive shopping spree in Topshop :p).
Like i said before, they can do whatever pleases them with their money, i do too, but if i had a baby, i would still try to find a job, and would not rely on any help to buy clothes for myself (obviously i mean council help). They are all single mums that had sex and then their boyfriend left them. They have no ambition but still, manage to go out, have sex again (didn't they learn their lesson?) , and get the baby a Dior bottle, a Gucci dummy and baby carrier....

Obviously i'm not talking about ALL the british teenage single moms, but i was just saying that i didn't quite agree with what you said. And from what i've seen, a lot of american teenagers have babies too....

Anyway, i still agree with you when you say europeans want to be independent really soon (which is my case) but that doesn't mean that i don't have a good time and never spend my money on what i want. I was just saying that we should do whatever we want to do and nobody should judge us for that (especially not because of the way we dress....)--> eventhough it seemed like i was judging british girls (which is not true) i was just saying that, true, i don't agree with what they do, but i'm not going to judge them or say anything about what they do. I don't really care anyway to be honest.

And talking about people who follow trends in their country : have you seen a lot of french teenagers without a pair of puma trainers? have you seen a londoner without AT LEAST one pair of Motto jeans(girls i mean)?Or a british boy that i some point wasn't wearing the notorious Beckham mohican haircut?(You might think you can't compare with a Vuitton bag, but i does cost a lot of money to go to Tony&Guy all the time....)

[Maciamo]

Hi Sayuri,

First of all, I'd like to know where you are from, as you appear to be (Northern) European or American from what you said.


If someone was to be blamed it would be british girls, because it is true that some of them live on their own, but that's just because a majority of these girls have kids at a young age and therefore get the right to have their own council house. They get pregnant at 16 and then get allowances, council help, tax exemption and stuff like that, but still, they keep spending their money on Burberry's garments (or they go on a massive shopping spree in Topshop :p).

I suppose you are referring mostly to lower class girls (let me remind you that money does not define classes in Britain, as people like the Beattles or Beckham remain lower class even after becoming millionaire and knighted). The examples you cite are apparently very brainless and irresponsible girls. I doubt it can define "British girls" in general (I don't mean all, just "in general").


And talking about people who follow trends in their country : have you seen a lot of french teenagers without a pair of puma trainers? have you seen a londoner without AT LEAST one pair of Motto jeans(girls i mean)?Or a british boy that i some point wasn't wearing the notorious Beckham mohican haircut?(You might think you can't compare with a Vuitton bag, but i does cost a lot of money to go to Tony&Guy all the time....)

Puma trainers, Motto jeans ? Really no comparison to LV. I mean, brands are already something like 50% more expensive in Japan than in Europe because it's imported, and a normal LV wallet cost 50.000yen (500US$). How many Puma trainners and Motto jeans do you get for the price of that wallet ? A Japanese friend of mine (in her 20ties) has bought a 250.000yen (2500US$) bag last week, and she also lives by herself. Regarding shoes, the average Japanese girls I know have like 10 to 20 pairs that cost on average 15.000yen. And I didn't see those they had already thrown away after 1 year. I frankly don't think there is any comparison in Western countries, except among super-rich Californian daddy-girls.

[sayuri]

Hi Maciamo,

you are totally right about the price comparison between a pair of Puma trainers and a Gucci bag (well in this case, Louis Vuitton :p) but my point was that regardless of the price of the garment you buy, the fact is "it's trendy, it sells". The trend in England being Burberry's bag, in France Puma or in Japan Louis Vuitton, it makes no difference, everybody buys it because it's "fashionable". I know the cost of life in Japan is higher than in most countries, but i assume they make more money than we do over here. It's still no excuse for spending such amounts on accessories but it's just a fact.

When refering to british girls, obviously, i wasn't refering to all of them, but i was talking about the ones that have the higest purchasing power in England (as the notorious "office ladies" that buy LV bags in Japan). Obviously, they might not have the same needs or standards (like you said a LV bag costs more money than a pair of Motto jeans) but that doesn't change the fact that they still spend a lot of money. What makes it worst is that at least japanese girls are "older" (they are in their 20s and 30s right?) but i'm refering to teenagers (girls who are barely 20), so if a 16 years old has 5 Burberry's bags (and real ones, not ones from Sheperd's Bush Market...) imagine the amount of money she will be spending in a few years?

But anyway, i hope you got my point,'cauz i got yours, i still agree with you. Anyway i'm the type of person that doesn't really like sorting people into different categories (especially not according to their nationality) but i was just giving my opinion.

To answer your question i can't really say "i come from this country or that coutry" as i've lived in many coutries in my (short) life (i'm 21), i have a french passeport (eventough i can't really say i'm a "real" french citizen....i've only spent 6 years in France in my whole life) and i'm mixed anyway

[mdchachi]

Yeah thats also a question, what's the chances of bicycles getting stolen in Tokyo if I were to go into a store?

If you're talking about a rental bike, it will likely be equipped with a small lock that prevents it from being ridden. Easily breakable but enough to dissuade the casual "borrower."

Chances are small but I would guess bicycles are the most common thing to be stolen in Japan. They're also sometimes impounded when parked illegally so you might think it's stolen when it's actually not.

[Maciamo]

you are totally right about the price comparison between a pair of Puma trainers and a Gucci bag (well in this case, Louis Vuitton :p) but my point was that regardless of the price of the garment you buy, the fact is "it's trendy, it sells".

Got your point !

I know the cost of life in Japan is higher than in most countries, but i assume they make more money than we do over here.

Actually they don't. Well according to statistics, salaries in Tokyo and London are vey similar and both disproportionally high compared to the rest of the country (more than 2x the country's average). Japan's GDP/capita might be higher than most European countries (my stats date back of the time when the 1 euro was about 100yen, now it's around 130 and it went over 140 for a few months, which would raise EU salaries by 40% !), but at PPP (purchasing power parity) it is in the EU average.

What makes it worst is that at least japanese girls are "older" (they are in their 20s and 30s right?) but i'm refering to teenagers (girls who are barely 20), so if a 16 years old has 5 Burberry's bags (and real ones, not ones from Sheperd's Bush Market...) imagine the amount of money she will be spending in a few years?

I was referring to friends of mine who are in their 20ties, but teenage Japanese girls also crave for brand bags, and when they can't afford it and their parents don't pay up, some do not hesitate to sleep with 40 year-ol men in exchange for the bags they want (have you heard of "enjo kosai" or teenage prostitution, which plagues Japanese youth ?).


To answer your question i can't really say "i come from this country or that coutry" as i've lived in many coutries in my (short) life (i'm 21), i have a french passeport (eventough i can't really say i'm a "real" french citizen....i've only spent 6 years in France in my whole life) and i'm mixed anyway

Sounds very much like me. :wave: So do you also have problem deciding what's your mother-tongue ? French, English ? What's your connection with Japan ? Have you ever been there ?

[ashuri2]

I was referring to friends of mine who are in their 20ties, but teenage Japanese girls also crave for brand bags, and when they can't afford it and their parents don't pay up, some do not hesitate to sleep with 40 year-ol men in exchange for the bags they want (have you heard of "enjo kosai" or teenage prostitution, which plagues Japanese youth ?).



how bad is the enjo kosai problem in japan? i've heard references to it but don't any actual facts... :?

[yimija]

Who cares ?
- if I dont eat proper food
- if I dont look out properly about my health
- if I live in a miserable flat, preferably with rats around...
- if I dont get good schooling to my kids
- if... and so on

As long as I can show off with my gucci, yves saint-laurent
or else, BAG !!!!

:p

[ashuri2]

hmmm...this reflects sadly on human kind in general...it doesn't matter cause we could all blow upselves up any second, or the abused earth could just stop working on something...i'm gonna go practice some escapism and watch some anime. -_-;;

[RockLee]

hmmm...this reflects sadly on human kind in general...it doesn't matter cause we could all blow upselves up any second, or the abused earth could just stop working on something...i'm gonna go practice some escapism and watch some anime. -_-;;
Well said hehe...

[Rachel]

If your going to spend silly money on a bag or jewelry you should at least make sure its a one off. The problem with designer gear is it's still mass produced.
if your going to buy, buy something unique. :cool:

[Kama]

if your going to buy, buy something unique. :cool:

I as I am, wouldn't be a good Japanese girl. I just have to be original, I don't like having things the others have... XD

[Oliver]

Like i said before, they can do whatever pleases them with their money, i do too, but if i had a baby, i would still try to find a job, and would not rely on any help to buy clothes for myself (obviously i mean council help). They are all single mums that had sex and then their boyfriend left them. They have no ambition but still, manage to go out, have sex again (didn't they learn their lesson?) , and get the baby a Dior bottle, a Gucci dummy and baby carrier....Mmm. I dunno, I still think they are more intelligent than your average British taxpayer (who gets screwed from every direction to support these types). If you've committed numerous crimes against humanity, want to wage a terror campaign against the US and UK - and you want to draw benefits, just claim asylum. They welcome such people with open arms over here...

Frankly, I don't see a lot of point in being honest any more. The system is actually set up to screw you good and proper if you follow the rules - but if you're prepared to break them, you're in the money. Three recent examples of this:

a) Ian Huntley's girlfriend (who lied in court to protect him) has been granted anonymity and a brand new life, thanks to the taxpayer. She also has rights that transcend those of ordinary citizens - if so much is breathed about her wherabouts on any forum, you can be arrested.

b) The Birmingham Six, who were convicted (but later found innocent many decades later) have been asked to pay for their stay in jail. Seriously. It's considered board and lodging at Her Majesty's pleasure. But if you're actually a real convict who has committed a real crime, you don't pay...

c) Someone who shot a burglar who was trying to enter his house had been jailed, and the burglar was asked what kind of sentence he should receive!

Kind of makes you wonder if humanity has much life left in it...

[Emoni]

Maybe I'm just out of it and don't see the thread, but I remember a while ago that there was a mention of these very costy designer "bags" or purses I can't remember which.

My question is, where do you find these? How costy are these things? I'm wondering cause someone's birthday is coming up and was thinking they might like one ;P Of course, if they cost $3,000 it might not quite be doable, but if anyone could point me in the right direction it would be appreciated.

[kirei_na_me]

Well, I'd say an average Louis Vuitton would cost around $500US. It depends on what you get, though. Say, with LV, the regular 'monogram canvas' is the cheapest, but it's classic line. It depends on how much leather is on it, how big it is, etc.

You can have a look at http://www.eluxury.com and see what the prices are like.

By the way, I'll merge this into the other thread.

[Emoni]

Thanks for the info. :relief:

[nekosasori]

I apologize for not having read the entire thread yet, but I'd like to say that I used to think all handbags were a waste of money - then I came to a country where it rains practically daily, and where I actually need to use a bag to carry around lots of stuff.

AND I've also come to understand how great quality LV stuff is - but I don't like their monogram canvas (the most readily faked stuff) - I'm a fan of the Epi leather and Damier canvas (lesser known).

So I do have an extensive luxury bag collection now - it's one of three types of frivolous things I spend money on (the other two being DVDs and manga) - but I'm collecting with my own salary (and it's cheaper even after VAT to get items in Ireland).

But that's the only thing that I probably have in common with a native Japanese woman - last time I was in Japan I carried around a tattered backpack and wore worn out sneakers and was openly laughed at by immaculately dressed, fashionable young women. I see a large mix of fakes and real bags in Dublin which is another consequence of the Celtic Tiger having existed - the "Haves" have an AWFUL lot of wealth to spend and have abandoned the modesty and traditionally negative connotations of showing off material wealth as they've gotten richer. I don't think it was long ago in Eire when show-offs were condemned for sporting flashy brand names - but that's not true any longer.

I'm personally against fakes for several reasons - the main one being that a lot of knock-offs come from crime groups, so buying fakes leads to furthering their activities.

[FashionInJapan]

Japanese girls and men love bags and accessories. It is a way for them to show what they possess. Because, it is too expensive to buy a house or even a car (you need to rent a parking place -at least 400 USD per month - to have a car in Tokyo).

Also they do not invite friends at their home because of the lack of space.

Therefore, what they own must be worn...

If you need more info about Japanese Fashion, Trends, have a look at www.fashioninjapan.com

Best regards from Tokyo !

Loic Bizel
Fashion Consulting
www.lebiz-consulting.com

[Tommy Kaira R]

If you intend to be out past midnight you will need a car though. I remember the LV store in Kyoto inside Takashimaya there were so many people you couldnt get into the store.